About Me

My photo
Australia
Wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt and friend....and fur-kid mum I love Quilting, stitching, photography, cooking, baking, gardening, blogging and making new friends...stop by and say hi!

Friday 24 January 2014

Grow Your Blog and Giveaway

I am participating in the Grow Your Blog 2014 Party organised by Vicki at 2 Bags Full and hope to meet many more bloggers from around the world by visiting their blogs and, hopefully, as they visit me.  To participate, I need to tell you something about myself and my blog.



Hello and welcome to my little slice of blogland. My name is Cath and I come from Brisbane, Australia. I have been married to Hubby for just over 27 years and we have three children who no longer call this house home (see side bar). I am desperately waiting for all three of them to fall madly in love, get married and have children so I can sew for the "little treasures" too. In the meantime I dote on my two furbabies, Callie and Lila.

photo taken by Samantha of The Wanderers & the Wolves
I have been blogging since late 2011 and mostly like to blog about my stitching and quilting escapades. I am overwhelmed with BOMs, WIPs, UFOs  and blogging my progress motivates me to finish them off although I can't resist starting another project which starts the cycle all over again.  I love to add photos to my blog posts, so expect to see a heap of those.

some of my work in progress

From time to time I get the urge to try something new other than quilting. Maybe some crochet, baking or creating something from my Pinterest account (a huge source of inspiration for me). When I do this, I like to share the process with you.

Click Easter Egg to see more
My Creation Station also features a fair bit in my blog (well it is of course where I do alot of my sewing).  I am constantly trying to organise and improve the area so if I come up with a new idea, I will also blog about that.

If you want to explore my Creation Station click here or head to the tab at the top of the page
Its NOT all about sewing. Every year I get to travel overseas to visit my mum who lives in the UK. My blog is usually quiet during this time as I find it difficult to blog on my iPad but my camera is always with me as I explore and on my return, I do my best to share my travel adventures with my blog readers with photos, history titbits and the silly things that happen to me. Don't worry, I won't bore you with pictures of people you don't know - just castles, cathedrals and other must see tourist attractions. Here is one example of my last trip.

I love flowers, birds, nature, taking photos, cooking for my family and much much more which means, if anything interesting happens in my everyday life, I've gotta tell YOU. I manage to blog no less than 3 times a week inbetween the sewing, stitching, walking the girls and working at my part time job.
memories of the Melbourne Flower Festival
I also love to give things away so before we get to todays GIVEAWAY, let me fill you in on my new Yearly Giveaway.  Last year, I had Giveaway 2013 and I had so much fun I have decided to do it all again for 2014, giving you all the opportunity to win a once a month prize.  Please head over to the Giveaway 2014 tab to find out more about how it works.

Back to today's GIVEAWAY. Please leave me a comment and let me know a) if you are a first time visitor or a regular follower of my blog and b)what you liked most about my blog. Everyone who visits Bits 'n Bobs today will go into the draw whether you decide to follow or not......you just have to  comment and PLEASE make sure you are not a "no reply blogger". I will leave the giveaway open until the 2nd of February (unfortunately, I can't leave it open for longer as I am going away in February and want to get it sent off before I leave). Here is what is on offer:  A stitchers wallet made by me. The front has been candlewicked with a floral design and the back is hand quilted. Inside I have included  some pins, needles, buttons, scissors, tape measure, embroidery threads and a cute little postcard pattern. Oh what the heck, I will also throw in a piece of fabric, just dying to be embroidered, and a cute little embroidery frame to display your work when you are finished.
Outside
Inside
And that, my friends, is all about me.  I hope you enjoyed visiting my blog today and if you are a first time visitor, I hope you will take the time to explore and maybe come back for another visit sometime. Of course, you are more than welcome to follow me on a regular basis too.


 

53 comments:

  1. Hi Cath, I have recently become a follower of your blog. I love to see what you are working on. I am a cross stitcher who is starting to dabble in quilting/patchwork, applique and stitchery and I like to visit blogs like yours as they are inspirational to me and give me great ideas and tips to help me along the way. I would love to be entered in your giveaway please. Thank you.

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  2. Good morning Cath, I'm already an avid follower of your blog. I love how your personality and creativity shines through your blog posts.

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  3. Lovely post... I hope you get loads of new visitors.....
    Hugz

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  4. Hi Cath, I read your blog regularly. I am always inspired by your quilting, especially all the hand quilting you do. xx debbie

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  5. I read your blog each time you post (well almost) and I love the projects you take on - like Bric a Brac. I particularly like reading about your organisation tips - like blackboard PVDc labels - love mine. And of course because you are in Brisbane and I've met you.

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  6. Hi Cath, I'm a regular follower and today I loved to see your creation station, and the flowers of course!

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  7. Hi, Cath, I'm a regular follower. Love your travel photos.

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  8. I loved your travel photos to, I'm also a follower.

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  9. Hi Cath, I'm new, but I love your photos and your creation station. I'll add your blog to my bloglovin feed.

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  10. It was lovely to read this post and get to know more about you, after having met you last year. I love seeing your stitching work, love your UK photos, and seeing your creation station and organisation tips. Now I think I will go visit some more Grow your Blog participants.

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  11. Hi Cath. Lovely to meet you. Your stitching is wonderful. I do wish I had that kind of patience. I look forward to seeing more of your scrapping too.

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  12. How lovely to meet you on the blog party. I am a first time visitor but have signed up with Bloglovin to follow you. I really like your blog for a few reasons; I like to see lots of photos of other people's projects for inspiration, I have read a few posts extra as well and we have a shared love of baking and dogs too. I love to sew and cross stitch and am just starting to try other kinds of embroidery. Baking has always been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. Your dogs are adorable, we got our first dog 2 years ago and Monty has made our family so happy. Thanks for a beautiful giveaway too.

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  13. Hi, I just stopped over from the Grow your Blog party and I love to see pictures on blogs and yours are lovely. And wow! You have a long arm quilter! I especially love craft room pictures, we are always fishing for ideas to make more room aren't we? Hope to pop on back to see your projects!

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  14. Hi Cath, Welcome to Grow your blog party. I am volunteering to help Vicki this morning and I have met so many interesting people and visited so many places. One thing in common is embroidering. I loved reading your blog. Some of the things that interest me is your travels, your embroidering, seeing your animals, and reading about your part of the world. I am a first time visitor and signed up to follow you now thanks to the party. I will be back. Enjoy the party. Shirley@shirleystitches

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  15. Hi Cath, I have been a regular follower for a while now and I love that you post about your quilting , your pets ,your sewing studio, and just everyday things , always an interesting read .

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  16. I also embroider and quilt. they both fulfill different needs. Good luck growing your blog. Very pretty candlewicking envelope.

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  17. Hi Cath, I have followed your blog for a while now and love coming here to be inspired...I also love to read about your travels when you post about them...I am sure you will gain many new followers through this hop.

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  18. Hi Cath. I read your blog but don't often leave a comment. It was lovely finding out a little more about you today.

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  19. i love all the blooms. so gorgeous, wish i had smell-o-vision (or at least computer-o-vision) hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :

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  20. love your blog and love to see the pics from you trips as well .I have your blog in my favourites but don't comment anywhere near as often as I would like to hugs Beth

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  21. That is a beautiful stitchers wallet. beautiful hand work. I used to embroider, but MANY years ago. I keep thinking I'll pick it up again, but the old eyeballs are not as anxious! I'm a Grow Your Blog blog hopper too! www.fabricandmemories.blogspot.com

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  22. thanks for visiting my blog. I love your blog, you make beautiful quilts♥

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  23. HI Cath
    I am a regular follower. I originally came over as I thought bits & bobs sounded interesting. It is. So I keep following. That is a very generous giveaway. Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Hi Cath - I am a regular follower - I just enjoy reading about your passion and your life and your family ... and of course the creation station - beautiful gift for the giveaway!!

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  25. Hello,

    Nice to meet you.:)
    I would like to participate in your giveaway.
    petitearmoire2@gmail.com

    Greetings.

    Bernadett

    I love your creations and wonderful photos...:)

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  26. Hi Cath
    I'm an old follower! I love your mix of projects, travels etc!

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  27. Hi Cath. Just found you through GYB. I particularly like your stitching and the beautiful table topper. So pleased to find your blog and am a new follower. Hope you will have time to pop in and see me. Best wishes.

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  28. I found you from your blog-and I love the beautiful photography, that you quilt, and you love animals-I love the table topper.
    Your giveaway is just awesome-thanks for the chance. If you have time stop by me too-I am also having a giveaway Kathy

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  29. I am a new visitor and a new follower. I love your beautiful pictures and quilting.

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  30. Hi Cath!

    After a quick browse thru your blog i think we might be a good fit! :) I put a little bit of everything on my blog and i think yours is the same. Look forward to seeing more. I hope you'll pop over for a visit! Hugs! deb

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  31. Hi glad to meet you...love your description of your puppies. New Follower. I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

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  32. Hi Cath.
    Just popped in to say thank you for visiting my blog and find that not only do you live in one of my favourite cities but we seem to have quite a lot in common.Now I just need to get my quilter skills up to your level. Be back soon.
    Gillxx @ Dosie Rosie

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  33. I am a regular follower and I like to see the projects you have made. Just hopping around on the GYB party.

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  34. Wow, what an interesting post Cath - I have been popping over to your blog regularly and I am amazed at the amount of projects you get finished. Keep up the good work and the inspiration .
    Judy

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  35. Hi Cath,
    I found you through GYB party. This is my first visit here and I see you are also an Australian like myself who loves quilting. I just love your quilting machine and the beautiful work you are doing with it.
    My favourite quilting is "Crazy" but in the last 3 years I have moved to mixed media fabric collage creations using vintage laces etc. Now you will have to visit to enter my collaged brooch giveaway!

    Love your little needle book with all sorts of sewing bits and bobs. It's gorgeous and love all the candle wicking stitching. I've even made a complete king size quilt with this stitching.

    I'll try and get back again soon.
    Wishing you lots of success with your blog,
    Suzy

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  36. Hi Cath. I am not a first time visitor to your blog but only found you recently. It's lovely to get to know you a little better. I love that you blog about all aspects of your life and really liked your recent pics of the cakes Miss M made. I also have a Miss M but much younger - just toddling, so she keeps me very busy - and 2 older children. I look forward to reading more during the year. Cheers, Tracy

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  37. Hi Cath, nice to meet you and thank you for your kind commnets on my blog. I love the stitchery and embroidery you have done and the flower photos are stunning

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  38. Hi Cath! I'm happy you came by my blog and now following! You have a very nice blog and I'm happy to follow you back. I love birds, flowers and nature, and taking photos, too. I take lots of photos of my flowers, but it will be a while yet before we have any in bloom as we are in the middle of winter here. I can't wait! Please enter me in your giveaway!

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  39. HI Cath, We have lots of similar interests and I'm your newest Follower! Nice to meet you. Waving to you from cold snowy eastern Canada!!

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  40. This is a very nice post, Cath!! It is nice to meet you and I am now following you too!

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  41. First-time visitor, and I loved that you drew me in with your blog. The cupcake caught my attention, and then the quilting kept me looking for more. You have great photos!

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  42. Hi, Cath, thanks for stopping by my blog! What I love is your Creation Station!! What fun it must be to create in that environment. Love the Avante! I want one.

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  43. Regular follower here! I love to see all your projects!

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  44. Hello Cath, I'm waving from Bonnie Scotland and globe trotting as part of Vicki's GYB party. I just moved back to the UK from Melbourne this year and I can see we have a lot in common, plus there are all of your interests and activities which are so close to my own.
    This is my first time visiting your place but it's been a delight and I look forward to seeing lots more. I'm your newest follower! Well until the next visitor probably ;D
    Your giveaway is exquisite and I'm in awe of how delicate it is.
    Enjoy the party!

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  45. Cupcakes, and quilts, and stitch work and flowers oh my! You are one talented lady. I really like your tutorial on the quilt you are currently working on. Makes me feel like I might just be able to make one myself. Thanks for sharing your progress. It has been lovely meeting you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  46. Hi, Cath - nice to meet you. Isn't this GYB fun! I like what I see on you blog and will be back.

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  47. Squeaking in at the last minute, a new visitor - thank you for your nice comment - but will be back for a more extended look. Have a lovely visit back to the UK, take your wellies, lol, and obviously your camera! Love everything on the blog but do like a nice *view*, lol! Yes please, would love to be in the drawing!

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  48. Hi, I'm a new visitor to your blog. Your work looks so neat and precise! You do lovely needlework. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  49. love the furbabies and your studio...both beautiful! visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying your blog.

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  50. Hello Cath. So nice to meet you! You are the first Aussie I have found on the GYBP, so its good to know there is at least one other one out there. I was beginning to think I was the only one! LOL
    I am a first time visitor, and loved the funny breezy flavour of it. 'Bout to go follow you when I finish here.

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  51. Hi, I have had an enjoyable time visiting your blog. Your photos are great. Australia is the only continent I have never set foot on - I hope to one day. My daughter spent a semester at university in Brisbane and really enjoyed herself. Thanks for sharing. Happy hopping!

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  52. Even though your GYBP giveaway is over, I'm still going to stop and say "hello and nice to meet you". I'm really enjoying my time at your blog and look forward to following your blog.

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  53. Hello from Yukon, Canada! I'm still working on the GLB and I'm glad I found you ♥

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I would love to hear your comments so please leave one....I try to get around to answering ALL comments. If you are having trouble leaving me a comment here...email me at cathquilts(dot)gmail(dot)com(dot)au

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